New Haven industrial explosion prompts plans for incident notification system

Alder pushes for system that more quickly informs residents after incidents

Published 6:01 pm, Monday, June 19, 2017

Photo: Digital First Media

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
An aerial view of damage from the 2016 Chlor-Alkali chemical plant explosion on Welton Street in New Haven.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
An aerial view of damage from the 2016 Chlor-Alkali chemical plant explosion on Welton Street in New Haven.

Photo: Digital First Media

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(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East Rock Neighborhook in New Haven at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali LLC, formerly the H. Krevit Company, late Thursday morning, December 22, 2016., according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.The building where the explosion occurred is a chemical storage and transport facility, Alston said. A case of sodium bisulfite was ruptured in the explosion. That is dangerous to breathe in, Alston said. less

(Peter Hvizdak - New Haven Register)
TA case of chemical irritant that is dangerous to inhale was ruptured as a reported natural gas explosion rocked the area around 73 Welton St. and State Street in the East ... more

“I went down to the site immediately and asked some of the emergency responders there: ‘Do the residents know about this? Do they need to know what’s going on?’” Festa said.

A call for the explosion came in at about 11:29 a.m. on Dec. 22, but residents were not provided an official communication by the city through its mass notification system until 5:45 p.m. that day. The six-hour delay was far too long, Festa said, which is why she sought to hold a public hearing to discuss creating a new communication protocol for incidents, especially those involving manufacturers.

“It can’t be (six) hours,” Festa said. “People need to be notified immediately, if there’s any danger, if there’s any need to escape, if there’s any need to stay put or if there’s no danger at all.”

Festa said she wants to establish a new notification system that would alert residents sooner by providing information from the city. The topic will be discussed Tuesday during a Public Safety Committee public hearing.

New Haven Chlor-Alkali Senior Vice President Thomas Ross said the company has held multiple discussions with Festa, the neighborhood association and with city representatives. Ross said the company supports the idea, though they’re awaiting more direction from the city’s emergency operations department.

“We’re more than happy to work with the city to implement whatever protocol they would like,” Ross said.

December’s incident resulted in no injuries. At least two people were inside the building when the explosion took place, but both were treated at the scene. The building was heavily damaged by the explosion, which the company said was caused by a design error in machinery at the warehouse. The facility manufacturers bleach.

New Haven Emergency Operations Deputy Director Rick Fontana said the city currently has a policy for emergency notifications that, for example, could call for evacuations or to shelter in place. Fontana said officials determined the December incident did not require an emergency message since “there was no immediate danger in living in or around the area.”

“We did agree that this is a way that we can make changes,” Fontana said about Festa’s idea. “People want more information, so people know what’s going on, to share information about. That’s what’s going to happen.”

Fontana said his office will help develop a standard operating procedure for how to notify the public for incidents that warrant a city response but don’t require immediate public action. Who gets the incident notification would be determined by a resident’s proximity to the incident, which Fontana suggested could be a few miles. Residents likely would be given a choice to opt-in to receiving these notifications.

“It would be done sooner and provide information, just additional information,” Fontana said.

The message released at about 5:45 p.m. the day of the explosion was recorded at around 3 p.m., Fontana said. Its delay was due to officials believing more people would hear the message if it were released later. Festa also said the 5:45 p.m. release ensured more people would be at home and hear the message.